In an unprecedented move to finally resolve the problems surrounding the Filipino Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), leaders of the Filipino Community and past presidents of the Philippine Community Council (PCC-NSW) met on 3rd July 2008 at a Filipino restaurant in Granville. They drafted and signed a letter addressed to Fr. Renato Paras and Fr. Raning Creta, asking the two priests to convene a special general meeting of the Philippine Australian Community Foundation, Inc. (PACFI). Fr. Paras is the original Settlor of the Trust Deed that created the PACFI while Fr. Creta is the incumbent Chaplain of the Filipino Community.

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Federal Member for Chifley Roger Price MP has written to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Hon. Jenny Macklin MP asking for an investigation into the feasibility of a Reciprocal Social Security Agreement between Australia and the Philippines.

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The Philippine Government projects that the number of Filipinos leaving the country for overseas employment will surpass one million by the end of 2008, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney announced.

The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment reported that during the period January 1 to April 30, 2008, a total of 399,638 Filipinos left the Philippines for work in various countries, or an average of 3,303 Filipinos everyday.

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I wish to inform you that I disagree with the article published in the Philippine Tribune, July edition entitled “MPC sinks into more debt.” It states that I did not sign the loan agreement between the Philippine Australian Community Foundation Inc. and Ms Tess Lopez.Therefore, I reserve the right to seek remedy to clear my name.

Mansueto Villon
Chairman of the Board, PACF Inc.

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THE five Manila policemen accused of extorting money from a hotel chef and forcing him to eat shabu have been reassigned to Mindanao after serving their 90-day suspension, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

The erring cops also face possible summary dismissal from the service.

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